I modified my oil pan about half a year ago and it works great.
I can drive on dirt roads without worrying about hitting oil pan.It
already happened to me "in the middle of nowhere" and caused huge
problem, which prompted me to change oil pan. Here is what was done.
Bottom was cut using mill by ab. 2" so the hight of cut pan became
ab 4". The back was cut down ab. 2 and1/4" extra to accomodate
extension box.Then extension box (about 2 and 1/4" deep,7 and 1/4"
wide and 5 and 1/2" long)was created and welded to main pan and made
out of one piece of steel.The drain was made out of 1/2-20 nut turned
at the bottom and welded to bottom of extension, with hole drilled on
the side for more complete drainage.To gain access to one of the pan'
mounting screws blocked by extension, piece of steel tubing(cut from
oil pick-up tube) was welded into extension allowing access with
socket wrench.
The oil pick-up was modified by first unbrazing the screen cup,
cutting most of the tube length and brazing screen cup back in same
position relative to mounting flange.The bottom of the oil pick-up
is ar. 1/2" above oil pan bottom.Then the remaining baffles were
modified slightly to accomodate modified oil pick-up.I used Dremel
moto-tool to cut buffles by hand, using cut and try technic.It is
done after bottom of the pan is cut off.The clamp supporting oil
pick-up tube was discarded.After complete assembly i primed and
spray-painted the oil pan.
Note about rear heater.One of the coolant lines at the rear heater
may have restrictor- plastic washer that cuts flow by large amount
even if heater flow valve is completely open, causing overheating.
Also, check front heater valve, located above spare tire close to
fan.It may be leaking...
